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Makeover for Conquest? Not really
Sunday, October 5, 2008
I’m not easily swayed by big block letters and exclamation points. In our business, this is the cheapest form of hucksterism. The top of Friday’s press release from the Times Union Center screamed that the Albany Firebirds are back. And my first thought was: “NO, THEY’RE NOT!!!” I don’t care what they say. I don’t care what the helmets and uniforms look like. Unless the arena football team in Albany gains re-admission to the Arena Football League, stocks its roster with players the caliber of Eddie Brown, Mike Pawlawski and Mark Valvo, starts playing games on national TV and challenges for a championship, these are not the Albany Firebirds. Not even close. The whole thing smells like desperation. After years of missing the playoffs and stagnant attendance at the Times Union Center, the Albany Conquest of arenafootball2, the AFL’s minor-league knockoff, appeared to be on the way out. So what the organization came up with was to — presto! — invent a time machine and turn this pumpkin into a magic cornucopia of nostalgia. Slice it open, though, and it’s still quite hollow. I have nothing against the Times Union Center, SMG and Walter Robb keeping their arena football team in Albany. The games are sort of fun to watch, if you like that sort of thing. Personally, it’s a little headache-inducing, with the non-stop music blasting over the loudspeakers and the non-stop passing, but that’s just me. Just don’t try to sell me on the notion that the Albany Firebirds are “back,” because they aren’t, and that’s all it is, is a sales job. When they first told the media on Thursday that there would be a press conference on Friday to announce the future of arena football in Albany, my first reaction was that this was going to be another one of those manufactured stunts to trumpet business as usual, like the Albany Patroons did in September. This also just in: The sun is holding a press conference to announce that it will continue to rise. There was some element of surprise on Friday, however, and, yes, some actual news. It’s just not nearly as big as they want everyone to believe. The Firebirds are not coming back, this is all just a big marketing contrivance. And that’s their business. Their job is to fill dates at the arena and put people in the seats, and if they accomplish that, fine, more power to them. But ... arrghh. Albany County Executive Michael Breslin was actually quoted saying that this will be like “bringing the Dodgers back to Brooklyn,” and a lot of people in Brooklyn were wondering why they all suddenly came down with a severe migraine. This is still an arenafootball2 team, and the quality of play doesn’t come close to that of the AFL. That isn’t a knock against the guys who have played for the Conquest. They care about what they do, and they’re professional football players, insofar as they make money doing it, but it isn’t a living. They all have jobs outside of football. So that’s what you’ll continue to get, except that it will be wrapped in a new, albeit familiar, package. The team came right out and said so, that all they’ve really done here is “re-brand” the existing product. Maybe that will be enough for some people. I’ll bet there’s a lot of Eddie Brown jerseys at the bottom of dresser drawers. But it isn’t enough for me. Call it the Firebirds all you want, but this is one phoenix that doesn’t get off the ground.
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December 3, 2008
9:19 a.m. [ Suggest removal ]
This is rec-league football. These guys sell furniture, work for cities, deliver products, teach, manage convenience stores, then after work, get together and practice some football plays. On weekends, they play games.
There's nothing wrong with that, but to charge up to $30 for a seat to these games is outrageous, because this is not professional minor league sports. The Conquest/Firebirds are comparable to the Albany Metro Mallers, not the Chicago Rush or the Philadelphia Soul.
Capital Region sports fans are not idiots. Perhaps if they charged $4 to $8 for tickets, more people might go. But, don't sell it like it is a professional minor league sport. We're not buying.
12:58 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mike!!! I have been saying the samething ever since talk got around about about the team changing their name! It's just a name! And a name doesn't make you good or bad! Yes, from what I hear the Firebirds were really good, but that was because of the players--those players have moved on to other things, and talk is that one might be coming back to Coach the team. It is all to get the people to say, "Oh wow, the Firebirds are back! They were so good, let's go buy season tickets!" I'm sorry, but people who think that need to rethink it! Have you seen their website? NO YOU ARE NOT BACK!!--Just your name is back!
I had ties with, what was the Conquest--so this is a story that I have been following closely and with passion. From my opinion, and no offense to Owner Mr. Robb, the Front Office needs to rethink their strategies and ways of going about things! Yes, attendance was down this past season--but where are the Public Relation people to think about ways to get people to go to the game? Albany and the Capital Region is full of college students and football players--why not have a College night? Or reduce admission if you play football for a college or high school? Albany is home to the Giants training camp--the same Giants that won the Super Bowl--the same Giants that were IN TOWN when they Conquest Season was still going on--why not bring that aspect into the Arena for a FOOTBALL game?? Many people go to the Giants training camps--well don't you think those people would of bought a ticket to come see the Conquest play if there was perhaps the Trophy at the game or an autograph signing with the Giants afterwards?
And to "Johnny"--AF2 players are "Professional players" and it is Professional Minor League Sports. Teams like Chicago Rush or Philadelphia Soul are at a level higher than the players in the AF2 league. Yes these guys have other jobs during the day, but early in the morning EVERYDAY or in the afternoon EVERYDAY they are at the Arena practices for HOURS and watching film--and on the weekends they play games. Not to mention the countless hours the coaches and training staff put in with the team. One thing that Mr. Robb's staff needs to realize is that you need MONEY to get a good team. Why are teams like Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers so good--that's because their team has money to get the players to form a winning team! Have you ever been to an Arena game? Do you know what it is about? Or do you just sit at home, watch the AFL on TV, and then critize what's being played in your backyard? How do you think the players on Chicago Rush or Philadelphia Soul got to where they are??
And tickets can be sold for what they are because it is at a higher level than College Football!! Yes, it's not the NFL, but this is a total different league! Maybe you're "not buying it" but don't speak on behalf of the whole Capital Region!
5:23 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
If you would actually get the time to read up on some of these guys you would know that the Conquest actually had a lot of guys who already HAVE played in the NFL, CFL, and AFL!!
Clerence Curry actually started for the AZ Cardinals, Jacob Hobbs recently got cut from the NY Giants, Antwun Williams was with the NY Jets, and many other guys have been in NFL camps and AFL camps and have a great chance to get back.
Newcomers Roland Minor went to VA Tech and is an amazing talent, Kicker Carlos Ojeda is one of the most accurate kickers I have seen and you will definately see him in the AFL and maybe even the NFL, and Fullback Kyle Acker was with the Saints and will also be playing in the AFL or NFL soon.
Before you're so quick to judge these guys get to know a little about where they come from and you will notice how good the actually are.
GO FIREBIRDS in 2009!!
9:42 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
Yes, it is, in theory, a professional sport, but it is not really a professional sport. These are semi-pro players. I have watched Arena Football on TV and in person and just don't like it. I like soccer, but many people don't, so everybody has their favorites.
When the Triple A Rochester Red Wings charge $9.50 for the top seats and the Albany Conquest/Firebirds charge $30, something is seriously wrong here. Seriously wrong, because AF2 is nowhere near the quality of Triple A baseball. That's all I'm saying. Charge $10 for seats ans let's see what happens.
9:44 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
What college football are you talking about? Division III? Certainly noe Division I, which is way better than AFL and AF2 football. Come on, now.
1:35 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
Yes the Conquest have had good talent--they just didn't have the money to get the best of the best--and that's mostly because of the league putting a limit as to how much they can get paid--and the fact that the Conquest do not cheat!
I personally know all the guys that played on the Conquest this past year--and there is a lot of talent on the team--Just like UALB mentioned, and even the guys who have not gotten as far as the other guys have have an insane amount of talent.
And Johnny--Baseball and Football are two different sports, played completely differently, in completely different leagues--therefore comparing the prices is not a good compharison.
And College football-either division I or II, is nothing like AFL or AF2! Arena Football is in it's whole different leauge away from college or even NFL.
And you say that you don't even like football, you are a soccer guy--glad you are using your "freedom of speech" but get the facts before you use your rights =]
9:29 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
I might not have had a problem with the team changing its name to the Firebirds, except that portraying it as the Firebirds "coming back" is deceptive and misleading.
8:52 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
Sure, you can compare prices for minor league sports, regardless of whether it is baseball, football, indoor soccer, hockey or basketball. But, footballgirl, I respect your passion.
1:48 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
Some people will never be happy. Example: Albany residents. It doesn't matter what team was playing in Albany they will not support it. To bad Glens Falls couldn't get an AFL2 team.
5:33 p.m. [ Suggest removal ]
once again albany fans prove by your comments you are losers not the teams try supporting your team instead of bitching about them you would be suprised what a team who thinks you care can do if you want to get drunk and stupid stay home we dont need you!!! sports can make a tradition if we let them who wasnt proud when the birds won the championship game? whats in a name? everything you morons its af2 sure but the iowa barnstormers came to af2 and never lost a fan take notes ya might learn something
9:30 a.m. [ Suggest removal ]
I think we need to move to Iowa.